Saudi Ministry of Health Raising Efforts on Tobacco Control

/ -- As part of a move toward healthier citizens of the Kingdom and achieving the targets set in the Saudi Vision 2030, the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) under the leadership of HE the Minister Dr. Tawfig AlRabiah has successfully implemented several initiatives. Saudi Arabia became one of the first countries to ratify World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention for Tobacco Control in 2005 and established the National Committee for Tobacco Control (NCTC). In 2017, the NCTC implemented the new 100% taxation on all tobacco products and enforced the no smoking law in public places including shopping malls, parks and workplaces. It has also banned tobacco advertisement and sponsorship and imposed Saudi regulations; restricting more than 60 types of imported products.

In 2018, the NCTC introduced an initiative in collaboration with the Interior Ministry focusing on prisons through raising awareness, treatment and facilitating smoke-free wings. It also collaborated with the ...